Net Neutrality Advocates Predict Internet Gridlock

The delays that marred New York City's transit system Wednesday are nothing compared to the impending gridlock that could eventually cripple Internet traffic, according to a Thursday report from the New Millennium Research Council (NMRC).

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The delays that marred New York City's transit system Wednesday are nothing compared to the impending gridlock that could eventually cripple Internet traffic, according to a Thursday report from the New Millennium Research Council (NMRC).

Popular video sites like YouTube, as well as emerging Web video offerings, are eating up Internet bandwidth, and are poised to create an overall online slow-down, the report said.

"Online video will require a new wave of network upgrades," wrote report author Jason Kowal, U.S. head of research at Analysys Consulting, which conducted the study for NMRC, the brainchild of Issue Dynamics, a D.C.-based consulting firm whose clients include AT&T, BellSouth, Comcast, Sprint and Verizon.

The debut of feature-length movies from Apple's iTunes increased traffic levels by 140 percent at peak times, NMRC said. Coupled with video offerings from Disney and Wal-Mart, as well as NBC's plan to broadcast as many as 2,000 hours of the 2008 Olympic Games, "there is a role for policymakers in stimulating the next wave of Internet evolution," the report concluded.

That role, however, should be relatively hands-off, according to NMRC recommendations. The think tank warns Congress to avoid legislation that would "adversely impact the business case for Internet investment or set preference for one business model over another."

The report calls on lawmakers to draft bills that encourage network investment, especially for underserved locations. They should be allowed to do so, however, without network restrictions, the report said.

"Regulators should not inhibit Internet service providers' flexibility to experiment with new traffic technologies and strategies," researchers concluded.

Matt Bennett, executive director of the NMRC, said the report "does not address specific legislation or proposals" but is "an examination of trends in network traffic."

The debate points to one of the more hotly contested policy issues of late  net neutrality. The term refers to the notion that every Web site on the Internet, whether it is a major company's portal or a homemade storefront, has the same right to speed and access. Chief executives of some major Internet service providers, however, have voiced support for a system that would allow them to provide quicker download times or site access for those willing to pay for it.

NMRC's Bennett said the organization does not take a position on net neutrality. "The report points out that throughout the history of the Internet, network managers have used innovation technologies and techniques to ensure traffic flows smoothly and they should continue to do so," he said in an e-mail.

Bennett acknowledged, however, that "network managers do need the ability to find the best ways to manage their traffic It's really just making sure that we have the full array of tools at the network manager's disposal to make it as efficient for all consumers."

"We specifically didn't try to engage [net neutrality] in this report," Kowal said during a conference call with reporters. "I think that the point that I'm making is more of a laissez-faire recommendation rather than an active encouragement."

Bills that would preserve net neutrality are currently pending in Congress. On Monday, the FCC closed a public comment period that garnered almost 30,000 responses from companies and individuals.

The issue grabbed headlines again this week when AT&T was accused of censoring a webcast performance by Pearl Jam. The group's performance during the Lollapalooza music festival was broadcast over the Internet, but audio for the event went dead for several seconds after Vedder sang the line "George Bush leave this world alone", prompting some Internet advocacy groups to cry censorship.

"AT&T gave us a glimpse of their plans for a Web without net neutrality," according to SavetheInternet.com. The group urged Congress to "put Net Neutrality permanently into law and never trust AT&T at their word," it said. "The company acts in bad faith toward the public interest and will do whatever it can to pad it's bottom line -- including sacrificing its users freedom to choose where they go, what they watch and whom they listen to online."

Gigi Sohn, president and co-founder of Public Knowledge, echoed those sentiments. "How can we trust a company that promises not to interfere with content on the Internet when it has its corporate finger on the button to cut off political criticisms it doesn't like?" she asked.

AT&T denied censoring the band's performance.

"The editing of the Pearl Jam performance on Sunday night was not intended, but rather a mistake by a webcast vendor and contrary to our policy," according to an AT&T spokesman.

Chloe Albanesius has been with PCMag.com since April 2007, most recently as Executive Editor for News and Features. Prior to that, she worked for a year covering financial IT on Wall Street for Incisive Media. From 2002 to 2005, Chloe covered technology policy for The National Journal's Technology Daily in Washington, DC. She has held internships at NBC's Meet the Press, washingtonpost.com, the Tate Gallery press office in London, Roll Call, and Congressional Quarterly. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from American University...
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